RPBB_Tarsal_Leg_Clips_Single_Source_Justification_1.pdf
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- Attached to
- WV-ESFO-BUMBLE BEE STUDY
- Solicitation number
- DOIFFBO260162
About this file
This is a Single Source Justification form (FWS Form 3-0034) submitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a procurement under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
The justification supports a sole source acquisition with Environmental Solutions and Innovations, Inc. for genotyping services related to rusty patched bumble bee conservation research. The Minnesota-Wisconsin Field Office of USFWS requires DNA analysis of bumble bee samples to reconstruct full-sibling relationships and estimate nest abundance, with genetic profile data contributing to population health monitoring. The selected contractor, represented by Kyle Price and Rob Jean, holds the exclusive permit to collect tarsal clips from rusty patched bumble bees in the Appalachian portion of their range and possesses specialized knowledge of native pollinator plants, bloom cycles, and ecosystem requirements necessary to locate and collect 30 genetic samples per species during the 2027 field season. Market research was not conducted due to the small cost of service and the vendor's unique expertise and background. The project qualifies as a one-time study, creating a barrier to competition. The contractor's qualifications include in-depth knowledge of native pollinator plants and timing of bloom cycles across various habitat types, essential for locating adequate samples within a single field season. Costs have been reduced through the vendor's existing knowledge of species requirements and ecosystem conditions in the survey areas around Monongahela and George Washington-Jefferson National Forests. The justification was certified by Program Officer Jenna Hincks on August 13, 2026, and approved by Contracting Officer Keith Rose on the same date.
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| File | Type | Posted |
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| RPBB_Genetic_Samples_for_Nest_Abundance_SOW_for_Services_under_25K_1.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
FWS Form 3-0034 (Rev. 10/2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1. Description of Need
3. Other Capable Sources
2. Market Research Conducted
Pursuant to FAR subpart 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).
Instructions: The information in the text boxes are provided as sample language or to indicate a needed fill-in. Sample language should be removed from the final document. All text boxes require information and shall not be left blank.
SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
(UNDER SAT)
JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
Acquisitions Operations
4. Barriers to Competition
5. Contractor's Qualifications
6. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost
7. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office
Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Program / Project Officer
8. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval: Under SAT
Based on the above justification, I hereby certify and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 for this purchase.
Contracting Officer
| Text3: Kyle Price and Rob Jean from Environmental Solutions and Innovations, Inc. expressed interest in the procurement. We did not solicit other vendors because this is the only vendor that has biologists (Mr. Price and Dr. Jean) who are currently permitted to take tarsal clips from rusty patched bumble bees in the Appalachian portion of their range. These biologists also have extensive knowledge of the ecosystem and the ability to locate areas of suitable habitat within the landscape and have the expertise necessary to identify high activity areas for the species, such that they will be able to find and collect enough individual rusty patched bumble bees to meet the sampling requirement for our project (i.e., 30 clips from each species in the 2027 field season). | |
| Text2: Market research was not conducted due to the small cost of service and the experience, background, and expertise of the vendor. There is only one responsible source that can perform the activity at the level required by the Service. | |
| Text1: The rusty patched bumble bee was listed as an endangered species in 2017 due to an estimated 90% reduction in their historic range. Bumblebee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) conservation requires knowledge of nesting densities, but this aspect of their life history is poorly understood. The MN-WI Field Office (MN-WI FO) of USFWS secured funding to contract with the The Koch Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory to perform genotyping of bumble bees using DNA samples to reconstruct full-sibling relationships and estimate nest abundance with genetic capture-recapture models. The genetic data will also contribute data towards population health monitoring; genetic health of populations is a metric used to track progress towards long-term RPBB recovery goals. This specific project will support the fieldwork to locate and capture bumble bees, then collect non-lethal tarsal clip samples throughout the field season in 2027. Sampling will occur across the varying habitats used by the species in Appalachians, and will include samples from the American bumble bee (AMBB, B. pensylvanicus) to support a landscape-scale genetics study to estimate the nesting density of these two ecologically dissimilar species. Non-lethal DNA samples will also be collected from the common Eastern bumble bee (CEBB, B. impatiens), a widespread and common species found in the U.S. Samples will be collected in the eastern, high elevation forests of West Virginia and Virginia. This information will provide more accurate estimates of nest densities than those currently used in USFWS Section 7(a)(2) consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which are largely based off a closely related European species, B. terrestris (USFWS 2025). | |
| Text4: This is a one time study. | |
| Text6: Costs have been reduced because project planning and start-up costs are negligible; the vendor has extensive knowledge of the species' requirements, its' habitat use, phenology, and the ecosystems present within the survey area (areas in and around the Monongahela and George Washington-Jefferson National Forests). | |
| 2026-08-13T11:05:45-0400 | |
| JENNA HINCKS |
| 2026-08-13T10:09:32-0500 | |
| KEITH ROSE |
Text5: This project necessitates an in-depth knowledge of the native pollinator plants and the distinct timing of bloom cycles for a variety of plants across the habitat types where the species forages in order to be able to locate and collect enough samples to complete the genetic study. Because this project requires the collection of up to 30 genetic samples in one field season in order to complete the project, it is imperative that the vendor have the expert knowledge and ability of the species and the bloom cycle on the landscape to be able to predict timing and location of surveys that will be successful in locating the species. This is the only vendor that has proven ability to locate high enough numbers of the rare rusty patched bumble bee in one field season. Furthermore, the vendor must hold a valid Native Endangered Species Recovery permit, issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 10 of the ESA (16 USC 1539(a); 50 CFR 17.22, 50CFR 13 for the field season of 2027 to collect, handle, and take tarsal leg clip samples from rusty patched bumble bees. This vendor is the only permitted vendor in our region who has been able to locate sufficient numbers of rusty patched bumble bees in one season pollen samples, thus, this vendor is the only one in our region that currently meets this specific criteria. Additionally, this vendor has a proven ability to perform this task and has developed unique methodologies to collect the pollen samples and to store them in the field. While all permit-holders are required to follow the Survey Protocols for Rusty Patched Bumble Bees (Bombus affinis), developed by the Service for capturing and photographing individuals, there is currently no established method written into these protocols for collecting or storing pollen samples. This vendor worked with the Service's species lead to gain approval for his unique methodologies, and is permitted to use these methodologies in the Section 10 Recovery Permit. No other vendor has developed these methods, is permitted to collect the samples, or has the expert skills required to procure the pollen from individuals in a non-lethal manner. The vendor has conducted extensive surveys for the species in this particular area (high elevation forests on and around the Monongahela and George Washington-Jefferson National Forests), and has the knowledge of the area and the ability to locate suitable habitat and active rusty patched bumble bee colonies, despite the species being very rare on the landscape. No other vendor has been able to locate a large number of individuals of this species, as this vendor has done in past seasons. This vendor is also considered the species expert in the Appalachian region, and the Service recently consulted with this vendor to obtain information about rusty patched bumble bee activities and floral species use in the Appalachians.
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